Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher. As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from...
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And why is "THEY'RE THE EATING DOGS" trending on X?
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump meet for the first time on a debate stage in Philadelphia, sparring over key issues and exchanging deep personal attacks. The momentous meeting was marked by question dodging, finger pointing… and pet-eating!
The Americast Team analyses the night from the heart of the action. Who will go viral after tonight? Did Trump stick to his messaging? And how big a deal is Taylor Swift's support?
HOSTS: * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter * Sarah Smith, North America editor * Marianna Spring, Disinformation & so...
Episode • 11 September 2024 • 33m and 51s
We answer your questions about the upcoming presidential debate.
Including:
- Their strategies - How they're preparing (and who's role playing Donald Trump for during Democrat rehearsals) - What the rules are
HOSTS:
* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter * Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief Presenter
GET IN TOUCH: * Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB * Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 * Email Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast
US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/ne...
Episode • 9 September 2024 • 28m and 2s
Americast is profiling the four candidates in the race to become the next President and Vice President of the United States. How did JD Vance, whose memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” about growing up in Ohio amidst alcoholism and drug addiction, become Trump’s VP pick for the White House? Once a fierce critic of Trump, publicly declaring himself a “never Trumper”, Anthony looks into what JD Vance stands for, and why he changed his mind about the former President. We also find out which song makes him cry, and how Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings influenced his career.
HOST: • An...
Episode • 8 September 2024 • 25m and 20s
This week is all about predictions, polling and risk taking - what do current polls tell us about who might win the 2024 presidential race? We get a behind the scenes look at how statisticians make their predictions, and how accurate they are. Our guest Nate Silver developed a forecasting system which correctly predicted the outcome of the presidential election in 49 out of 50 states in 2008, and all 50 states in 2012. He also talks to Marianna and Sarah about his new book on risk - On the Edge - and his journey from professional poker playing to politics.
HOSTS: Sarah...
Episode • 5 September 2024 • 27m and 54s
Following her first interview since entering the presidential race, where does Vice-President Kamala Harris stand on the issues that matter to Americans?
And, is campaigning a family affair? We take a look at whether a single person could run for the White House, or whether a candidate could lose the race because of a media-shy partner.
HOSTS:
* Sarah Smith, BBC North America Editor * Marianna Spring, BBC Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
GET IN TOUCH: * Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB * Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ...
Episode • 3 September 2024 • 26m and 42s
Inside Trump’s White House
LONG After one of the greatest political surprises in American political history, Donald Trump’s 2016 victory gave way to a controversial and consequential presidency.
We look back on the four years that were defined by staff fallouts, COVID, and an attempted insurrection. Anthony is joined by two journalists who were in the room with Trump while he was changing American politics one decision at a time.
Americast is profiling the four candidates in the race to become the next President and Vice President of the United States.
HO...
Episode • 1 September 2024 • 30m and 53s
Americast discovers how Donald Trump's business success came from creating a franchise out of his most valuable commodity: himself.
Americast is profiling all the major candidates in the U.S. election - Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and JD Vance - look out for our special profile eps over the next few Sundays!
HOST: * Sarah Smith, North America Editor
GUESTS: * Marc Fisher, senior editor at the Washington Post and co-author of the biography ‘Trump Revealed’ * Bill Pruitt, former Apprentice producer
GET IN TOUCH: * Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrx...
Episode • 1 September 2024 • 33m and 7s
In 2020 Joe Biden won this key swing state by fewer than 81,000 votes. In 2024, the path to the White House may be impossible for the Democrats unless they win over the people of Pennsylvania.
And the Republican know it. Vance and Trump are both visiting this week.
In this episode of Americast we investigate what makes Pennsylvania so important, and what makes its voters tick.
Sarah and Sumi are joined by two people with their fingers on the pulse; a morning radio host and a political strategist on different sides of the aisle.
<...Episode • 30 August 2024 • 30m and 58s
US prosecutors have issued revised charges against Donald Trump for the former president's alleged attempts to interfere in the 2020 election after losing the contest. How do they differ from the charges he’s already facing?
RFK Jr has officially dropped out of the race for the White House after a campaign which at one point saw him polling in double digits. How will his withdrawal affect the race?
And, it’s been confirmed that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will do an interview with CNN this week. Why are Democrats nervous about Harris’s first interv...
Episode • 28 August 2024 • 19m and
Few people had heard of Governor Tim Walz when he was selected by Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States. The former teacher was chosen ahead of fierce competition, including an astronaut, and the governor of a key swing state - but why? Americast finds out how “Coach Walz” made his way onto the ticket.
Americast is profiling the four candidates in the race to become the next President and Vice President of the United States.
HOST: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
GUESTS: • Leah Solo, Tim Walz’s former s...
Episode • 25 August 2024 • 19m and 32s
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